Issue - meetings

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet endorses the progress made and congratulates Bingham Town Council on its commitment to delivering the Action Plan.

The Leader, Councillor Robinson, presented the report of the Chief Executive updating Cabinet on the Bingham Improvement Board.

Councillor Robinson reminded Cabinet that it had considered the Board’s report at its meeting in June, with the report then submitted to Council in July, and then to Bingham Town Council in October this year.  Councillor Robinson stated that given the time, money and resources involved, it was important to reflect and look at progress made, and he had therefore requested that an update report came to Cabinet in six months.

Cabinet noted that the Action Plan and updates were attached at Appendix A to the report and reflected on the professionalism and experience of Board members in producing meaningful actions, which made a difference to a very difficult situation.  Councillor Robinson was delighted to report that Bingham Town Council had acted very positively and reacted well to the actions going forward, with progress made, and no further complaints had been made between Councillors since the report had come forward, which was a great testament to both the Town Council and to the quality of the Improvement Board in ensuring that a very resilient plan was in place.

In conclusion, Councillor Robinson stated that from a very difficult situation, considerable progress had been made, and credit should be given to the Town Council for that, and local residents now appeared to have more confidence in the Council, which was the best testament to this.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Edyvean agreed that all Councillors should act appropriately and in line with the Nolan Principles and Bingham Town Council was striving to improve.  It was clear from reading the update against the agreed Action Plan that the Town Council had become more civil and inclusive, and Councillor Edyvean hoped that in the next election new candidates would come forward, and people who had previously served as Councillors but had left due to the pervading atmosphere.  Councillor Edyvean concluded by noting the hard work of Councillors and staff at the Town Council in bringing the changes forward.

Councillor Robinson reiterated the importance of the Nolan Principles, which all Councillors worked under, and stated that this had been sadly lacking at Bingham Town Council.  This was a strong move forward, and an indication to all parishes that such behaviour would not be tolerated, and the progress made was a vindication of the action taken by Rushcliffe Borough Council.

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet endorses the progress made and congratulates Bingham Town Council on its commitment to delivering the Action Plan.